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Rating: 
Summary: The Mustache Gang rides again!
Review: Growing up in New England it's only natural that I was a huge A's fan during the 70's. The green, gold and white of a team from the bay area was all I talked about, so when this book was chosen for review, I naturally grabbed at the chance and I am glad that I did.The book shows how on the field the power of Reggie, the speed of Campy, men like Hunter, Blue, Odom and Holtzman along with Rudi, Bando and the whole host of others produced the most dominate team of that decade. Off the field, you'll read about the troubles in the clubhouse with the fights and of course the antics of the owner, Charlie O. The book gives you the first in-depth look at what these men went through to become the powerhouse they were. Read about a team that won 5 straight division titles, 3 American League pennants and 3 straight World Series. The Oakland A's, the mustache gang, Charlie's Not So Angels, are but a few of the nicknames they earned. A great read and an excellent book!
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully written...to a point
Review: I am as big of a baseball history buff as they come. This was a great book as it gave you an inside look at the mindset and business dealings of a tyrant owner and his slaveship that was the 1970s' Oakland A's. While Markusen does a good job in explaining details, player reactions, quest to the WS etc; I feel this book comes up short in the aspect of objectivity. Mr. Markusen explains in the beginning of the book that he grew up rooting for the A's. As you read, it feels like his love of the team clouds the objectivity a book like this should be written. It is written in a way that paints the team, owner and operation in a much too positive light. I felt his account was written from a standpoint that some "haphazard" fans have of thier teams, that they block out the negative and accept only the positive. (Ala Monte Moore). Instances such as Vida Blue's holdout, the 1972 ALCS fight between Rollie Fingers and Blue Moon Odom, Ray Fosse's 1970 shoulder injury, Charlie and Shirley Finley's divorce etc. were portrayed in a respect that it feels as if the author doesn't want to accept that these things occured within his beloved team. Loving a particular team is great. Its part of sports. But a true sports fan accepts the bitter with the sweet. (Ask any Yankees fan). However, I dont feel that this is entirely the case in this book. From a historical perspective, its a good book. Beautifully written - to a point. I can sum this book up best as if it were a player, who just hit a deep drive into centerfield. Just when you think it might be an inside-the-park homerun, the batter gets thrown out at home plate by a magificent throw. It comes up short.
Rating:
Summary: Man of the Century
Review: I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THIS BOOK, MY STORY IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE AUTHORS, I WAS 7 WHEN I HOPPED ON THE A'S BAND WAGON. I HAVE DESPARATELY BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE OF THE ORANGE BASEBALLS THAT WAS ONE OF FINLEY'S "QUIRKY" INNOVATIONS. AUTOGRAPHED BY FINLEY EVEN BETTER. IF YOU KNOW WHERE I MIGHT FIND ONE OF THESE BASEBALLS PLEASE EMAIL ME AT wiifus@myauctionwatch.com. I WILL SUBMIT A REVIEW IN A WEEK OR SO AFTER I READ THE BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: Man of the Century
Review: I was very disappointed that Charlie Finley never received any votes for Time's Man of the Century...it is the same type of snub that the A's have had to endure many times, such as when Mitchell Page had to share the 1977 AL Rookie of the Year award with Eddie Murray....Charlie was a master deal maker, as witnessed by his trade of his manager, Chuck Tanner, for Manny Sanguillen and the Mitch when he was at AAA Hawaii...Mr. Markusen's book tells the true story that baseball didn't want to know -- Mr. Finley could build and manage a signficant enterprise better than all of the rest of the league combined...Many scoffed at his decision to let players like Rudi, Tenace, Bando and Reggie Jackson go, but Charlier knew his minor leagues were stocked with players like Henderson, Murphy and Armas, not to mention Picciolo, Newman and John Henry Johnson....there is a reason why Oakland has been to 6 world series in the last 30 years, or 20% of all world series played -- Charlie O....this book is a must read for anyone who ever dreams of running an entrepreneurial fortune 500 enterprise, like Charlie's cousin Bill Gates.....sincerely, Miguel Dilone
Rating:
Summary: Excellent research, a must read for any baseball fan !!!
Review: The first thing that should be said about this book is the incredible amount of research and detail that was invested in it. This writing has everything that is needed for an excellent baseball book. It is all here--statistics,trades, critical games,clubhouse chemistry, and quotes from the key players that made the the A's a special team. The strange and odd antics of Charley Finley is displayed brilliantly, as is the love/hate relationship the players had for the quirky owner. When great teams of the past are brought up by historians, remarkably the A's of 1972-1974 seldom come up. Most baseball fans will talk about the '27 Yankees, the '39 Yankees, the '49-53 Yankees, the '61 Yankees and the '75-76 Reds. Markusen correctly points out how good this team was. Although they did not have an overpowering offense, they had excellent defense and quality starting and relief pitching which excelled in big game clutch performances, all noted in greatly detailed fashion by Markusen. If you are a person who enjoys reading a true baseball book, than this book is an absolute must. I consider myself a baseball "junkie", who can never get enough statistics and history of our grand game. I look forward to future publications by Bruce Markusen, who is a baseball writing talent we will here from again. 5 STARS!!!!!
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